Modular chair construction

ABSTRACT

A modularly constructed child&#39;s chair includes a chair module which is equipped with a back rest, a side rest, and a seat. The chair module is equipped with a seat hole and with a chair fastening device for fastening the chair module on either the upper part of a base unit or the upper part of a toilet. A removable seat hole cover, which covers the seat hole, includes a cover fastening device for fastening the cover on either the chair module, or on a base unit. A base unit which fits the chair module includes receivers for the cover fastening device and for the chair fastening device. In addition to other accessory modules, a support module, serving as a front and crotch support, along with a potty module, are part of the modularly constructed child&#39;s chair.

The present invention concerns a modularly constructed child's chair ofthe type which is described in claim 1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a requirement for a modularly constructed child's chair whichthrough different combinations of modules can be adapted to a number ofdifferent areas of application. It is above all the requirement for thecombination of a potty chair and a seat, with or without a supportmodule, which is the reason for the invention being made, but also therequirement to be able, after adaptation of the combination of modules,to use the chair as a toilet seat suitable for children.

A modularly constructed chair construction is known from U.S. Pat. No.2,530,474. This known chair construction can, through a combination ofdifferent accessory units, inter alia be adapted for use as low child'schair, potty chair or child's high chair, whereby a seat and backrestunit can be fastened on a low support unit, which at the same time canserve as a potty holder, or on a specially adapted high kitchen stool orkitchen chair without a backrest. The different units are attached toeach other by means of a fasting means, composed of pins and beltsequipped with slits, arranged on a seat and backrest unit, which, duringfastening together with an accessory unit, are received in pin cut-outs,respectively fastened over bosses, arranged on the accessory unit.

FR-A- 1 252 685 shows a toilet chair with a backrest, for children,where the seat is provided with a seat hole and fastening means forattaching the seat to a normal toilet. The seat is also equipped with abelt for fastening a child to the seat. The fastening means consist ofadjustable opposing bosses for support against the front part of thetoilet and a resilient rear fastening means for resilient fastening ofthe seat against the rear part of the toilet.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to obtain a flexibly usable andadaptable child chair which permits different assembly combinationsbetween the modules comprised in the invention as well as with existingchairs and toilets. It is especially desired to be easily able toconvert the child's chair for use, and secure anchoring, on a normaltoilet. Another object is to obtain a modularly constructed child'schair, of which the modules in a simple and secure manner permitfastening together of modules with each other or with existing chairsand toilets. An additional object of the child's chair according to theinvention is as needed to be able to use it as a normal child's chair,also called "play chair", and to moreover simply and securely be able toanchor it on a conventional chair to form a high child's chair. Yet anadditional object is to provide an easily removable and mountablesupport module serving as a front support and crotch support. Yetanother object with the invention is to provide a demountablemodularised chair, which in its separate parts can easily be stowed in,for example, a car. Another object is to provide a child's chair withchair modules equipped with locking devices and fastening means whichallow simple assembly together of modules and existing chairs, and whichpromote good hygiene as well as having industrial engineeringadvantages.

An advantage with the present invention that it furnishes a potty andchild's chair which can be adapted in accordance with a growing child'sneeds. For example during the transition from potty to toilet, thetoilet can be adapted so that the child feels safe in the firmlyanchored chair.

The above and other objects and advantages are achieved according to theinvention through a modularly constructed child's chair, which has thecharacteristics which are described in the characterising part ofclaim 1. Different developments and embodiments of the invention aredisclosed in the subclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention shall be explained in more detail with the followingdrawings, which shows non-limiting examples of embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows, in perspective, an overview of different modules in anembodiment of the child's chair according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sides view of the child's chair in a combination togetherwith a conventional toilet;

FIG. 3 shows in perspective the child's chair in a potty chaircombination comprising the chair module, the base unit as well as apotty module;

FIG. 4 shows in perspective the child's chair in a combinationcomprising a chair module, a base unit as well as seat hole coverconstituting a sitting and standing surface;

FIG. 5 shows the child's chair arranged to be used as a high child'schair with a front and crotch support;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the child's chair;

FIG. 7 shows a view from above of the child's chair;

FIG. 8 shows a section through the child's chair fastened on aconventional toilet;

FIG. 9 shows in detail an opposing boss on the child's chair;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show an embodiment of a lock bolt from thelocking means comprised in the child's chair;

FIGS. 11A and 11B shows an embodiment of a housing of a looking meanscomprised in the child's chair;

FIGS. 12A and 12B shows a locking means comprising the details accordingto FIGS. 10-11;

FIGS. 12 C-12 K shows details comprised in a second embodiment of alocking means for the anchoring of the modules to each other or to anexisting chair or toilet;

FIGS. 13A and 13B shows a seat hole cover comprising a locking meansaccording to FIG. 12;

FIG. 14A shows in plan view a base unit;

FIG. 14 B shows a section of the base unit according to FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a front and crotch support module;

FIG. 16 shows in detail an embodiment of the fasting means for theattachment of the front and crotch support module on the chair module;

FIG. 17A shows in side elevation the front and crotch support moduleaccording to FIG. 15; and

FIG. 17B shows in section an attachment organ for the attachment of thefront and crotch support module on the base unit; and

FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a chair module, abase unit and a second embodiment of a front and crotch support module.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the different base modules in a potty andchild's chair according to the invention, whereby the child's chair ingeneral is represented by 1. An embodiment of the invention comprises achair module 2 with a void for a seat hole 12, a base module, adaptedfor the chair, in the shape of a base unit 4 with a void 11, a removableseat hole cover 6 which covers seat hole 12 and base unit void 11 andserves as a seating and standing surface, a support module 8 for frontand crotch support fastenable onto chair module 2 and possibly onto baseunit 4, as well as a potty 10 of already known type. An anchoring organ,not shown, can also belong to the child's chair, for example ananchoring belt and a fastening belt, for anchoring the child's chaironto a conventional chair. The chair module 2 has further a backrest 20,a side rest 18, attachment points 5, and possibly 3, for the supportmodule 8 as well as a seat, and is equipped with a seat hole 12 intowhich the potty 10 can placed. The chair module includes chairattachment means, not shown, for the fastening of the chair on eitherthe upper part of a toilet or the upper part of the base unit 4.

When the chair module 2 is fastened to the upper part of the base unit4, and with the potty 10 attached, the potty and child's chair accordingto the invention functions like a conventional potty chair. With thepotty 10 removed the seat hole cover 6 can instead be fastened to thechair so that seat hole 12 is covered, and the chair can function thenas a child's chair of the armchair type. The support module 8 whichincludes upper attachment points 7 for attachment to the attachmentpoints 5 on the chair module 2, as wall as a lower attachment point 9for attachment to the attachment point 3 comprised in the chair moduleand/or the base unit 4, can be fastened to the child's chair and servethereby as a front and crotch support. In this condition, the child'schair can, by means of said anchoring organ, be attached to a chair toform a child's high chair.

FIG. 2 shows in principle how the chair module 2 also can be fastened tothe upper part of a conventional toilet 14 to adapt it to the child'ssize. The seat hole cover 6 can then be fastened to the upper part ofthe base unit 4 to make a footstool which can be used together with thechair nodule arranged on the toilet.

FIG. 3 shows the chair module 2 fixed to base unit 4 and with potty 10fitted in the seat hole. In this combination the modularly constructedchild's chair 1 functions like a normal potty chair. FIG. 4 shows howsaid seat hole cover 6 is fitted to the chair instead of the potty 10 sothat the seat hole is covered, and the chair 1 functions like a normalchild's chair. In FIG. 5 not only seat hole cover 6 but also supportmodule 8 is fitted to the chair. By means of anchoring organ 16, ananchoring belt in the embodiment shown in the figures, chair 1 can inthis combination be attached to a normal chair to make a child's highchair. A not shown fastening belt, which can be elastic or inelastic,can be included in chair 1. In one embodiment the fastening belt is atone end permanently attached to the inside of the base unit and theother end attached to the anchoring belt or to some suitable part of thenormal chair. In an embodiment the base unit alone can also be anchoredon the normal chair. A special attachment point can be arranged for thefastening belts other end, to which attachment point the other end ofthe fastening belt can be fastened when chair 1 is not used as a child'shigh chair. The base unit 4 can, like the chair module, be equipped withrubber feet or a rubberised surface to prevent undesirable sliding.

FIG. 6 shows in side view an embodiment of potty and the child's chair 1with support module 8 attached. It can be seen in the figure that thesupport module 8 is fixed by an upper attachment point to the chairmodule's 2 side rest front part, and by a lower attachment point to thebase unit 4. In another, not shown, embodiment, the chair module canhave a base with an attachment point for the support modules 8 lowerfastening means.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the chair module 2 from above. Twoopposing bosses 22 are placed in front of, and a locking device 24comprising two sliding lock parts 26 is placed behind, the seat hole 12.When the chair module is to be fastened to a toilet the chair module isfirst placed so that opposing bosses 22 go against the front inner sideof the bowl of the toilet. Then the two sliding lock parts 25 are slidout towards opposite sides of the inside of the toilet with a simplemanipulation. FIG. 8 shows, in principle, a cross-section VIII from FIG.7 of a chair module 2 fixed on a toilet 14. It is evident from thefigure that the sliding lock parts go in under the edges 28 on theinside of the toilet 14. The chair module 2 is preferably so dimensionedand locking device 24 so positioned that slid parts 26 come to be slidout at the part of the toilet bowl which has the greatest width. Whenthe sliding lock parts slide out, the chair module 2 is thereby slidforward so that the opposing bosses press against the front part of theinside of the toilets. Opposing bosses 22 have, in an embodiment shownin FIG. 9, a cut-in portion 30, so that the lower part of a bossinserted under a corresponding edge 28. In this way the chair module 2is locked laterally and vertically. Tipping is prevented by these meansthrough the sliding lock parts 26 and opposing bosses 22 being insertedunder edges 28 in the above described way. Opposing bosses 22 andsliding lock parts can also be arranged so that the chair module can belocked to a conventional toilet seat in the lowered position, instead ofon the porcelain as is shown in FIG. 8, but in the same way.

In a not shown embodiment of the invention the chair module is lockedwith fastening means which grip on the outside of the toilet. Thesefastening means can then for example be shaped like folding hooks whichfold down over the edges on the outside of the toilet.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show an embodiment of sliding lock part 26from the narrow side (10A), from the wide side (10B), in section (10C)and in detail (10D). Sliding lock part 26 is on the whole rectangularlyshaped with a somewhat pointed, bent up first end 34 and wave-shapedsecond end 38. On a first side, near first, pointed end 34 are two leverarm bosses 32 which project in the same direction as pointed, bent upend 34. On the side opposite lever arm bosses 32, near the middle of thesliding lock part, is a raised thrust surface 36. The function of thispart will be explained more closely with reference to FIGS. 12A and 12B.FIG. 10C shows a cross-section of wave-shaped end 38 and FIG. 10D showsin detail how the wave shape is used for shape conformal locking in thetransverse direction on a toilet 40. Wave-shaped ends 38 can also havedifferent lengths, so that an edge, for example a toilet, is fastenedbetween a wave-shaped end 38 and the underside of the module on whichthe locking means are arranged.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show in plan view, respectively side view, a housing41 for said sliding lock parts. The housing 41 has in both side walls anelongate void 44 as well as a centrally placed inner longitudinal wall46 with a shoulder 48 at each end. On both sides of the wall 46 is aridged track 42. Housing 41 is open at each end. FIGS. 12A and 12B showin plan view, respectively side view, housing 41 into which two slidinglock parts 26 have been inserted. In the plan view it can be seen thatthrust surface 36 sticks up out of the void 44. From FIG. 12B it canalso be seen that the sliding lock parts are placed in the housing 41 onboth sides of the inner wall 46 with lever arm bosses 32 turned towardsinner wall 46. In the rest position bent up end 34 rests against theridged track 42 with the point down in a valley on track 42, and slidepart 26 is locked by these means against sliding in the longitudinaldirection. When the thrust surface is pressed in, bent up end 34 islifted out from ridged track 42 through a lever arm action with momentzero point at the tip of lever arm boss 32, and the slide part can beslid in the longitudinal direction. In the direction of wave-shaped end38 slide part 26 is stopped when lever arm boss 32 comes up againstshoulders 48 or when the thrust surface 36 comes up against one end ofvoid 44. In the other direction slide part 26 is stopped, as in thefirst case, when the thrust surface 36 comes up against the other end ofvoid 44. To remove slide parts 26 from the housing 41, thrust surface 36are pressed in so far, in the direction of bent up point 34 that theycan pass the limiting end of void 44 and be displaced in the directionof said point 34. Slide parts 26 are inserted into the housing in acorresponding manner.

FIG. 12 C shows, drawn in perspective, a second embodiment of a slidinglock part 60 which fits in a second embodiment of a locking device.Sliding lock part 60 is equipped with a tongue 64 with a thrust surface62 which is arranged by or makes up a first end of the tongue 64. Tongue64 is fixed at a second end 66 to sliding lock part 60 and is recessedin same so that there is a slot 68 between the tongues edge and slidinglock part 60. On the thrust surface 62 is also one or more projectinglocking shoulders 69. The thrust surface 62 and locking shoulders 69 arearranged so that they can elastically be pushed in beyond an essentiallyflat side surface 70 on sliding lock part 60. An end 72 of sliding lockpart 60 is provided with rounded terminations 74, with the same functionas has been explained in connection with FIG. 10, which can be ofdifferent lengths and possibly with a groove 76 between them. In slidinglock parts upper part is also guide track 78 in the shape of a void oralternatively in the shape of a not shown rail.

FIGS. 12 D-12 G shows cross-sections of sliding lock part 60 take onlines A--A, B--B, C--C respectively D--D in FIG. 12 C.

FIG. 12 H shows in perspective view a lock housing 80, for said secondembodiment of the locking device, arranged on a module part 82 forhousing two sliding lock parts 60 of the type which have been explainedin connection with FIGS. 12 C-G. Housing 80 is in profile essentiallyV-shaped or U-shaped and has in each side 82 an elongated cut-out 84. Ona long side of cut-out 84 is a row of locking teeth 86 which arearranged so as to be able to receive the corresponding locking shoulders69 on a sliding lock part 60. FIG. 12 K shows a lock housing 80 intowhich two sliding lock parts 60 are positioned mirror inverted facingeach other. In the position shown, sliding lock part 60 are fullyinserted into lock housing 80 and locking shoulders 69 are locked fastin the corresponding voids between the locking teeth 86 on the lockhousing. If the thrust surface 62 with continuous locking shoulders 69is now pressed in towards the centre of lock housings 80, lockingshoulders 69 are freed and each sliding lock part can be slid inopposing directions with locking shoulders 69 running inside the row oflocking teeth 86. When the thrust surface 62 is released it springs backand locking shoulders 69 are locked in another position, but in the sameway, by locking teeth 86. Because of the projecting shape of thrustsurfaces 62 sliding lock part are prevented from falling out of lockhousing 80.

FIG. 12 J shows in profile a lock housing 80 arranged on a module part82, with two sliding lock part 60 in the housing, and FIG. 12 I shows ahousing cover 88 by means of which sliding lock parts 60 are locked inthe housing. The housing is, as is shown in FIG. 12 J, arranged on amodule part 82 so that it has an open first narrow side 91 by acorresponding void 93 with an attached recess on the module part. In anadvantageous embodiment the lock housing 80 and the module part inquestion are made as one unit, which give manufacturing advantages aswell as advantages in tooling, material etc.

On a second narrow side 89 opposite the open first narrow side 91, guidegrooves 92 are arranged, possibly with an intermediately positionedlongitudinal lower guide shoulder 90, by means of which the firstlongitudinal edges on sliding lock parts 60 are held fixed. When housingcover 88 (FIG. 12 I) is fixed on the void 93, sliding lock parts 60 arelocked by guide rails 94 arranged on housing cover 88 which are arrangedto fit into guide grooves 78. Housing cover 88 is also equipped withlock pins 96 which for example by means of a tolerance fit are receivedin corresponding holes 97 arranged in module part 82.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show in plan view, respectively side elevation, a seathole cover 6 comprising a seat hole collar 50 corresponding to the shapeof the seat hole 12, which can be completely or intermittently shaped,as well as a cover fastening means 25, which is preferably of the sametype as chair locking device 24 on chair module 2.

FIGS. 14A and 14B shows in side view, respectively section, anembodiment of the base unit 4. The base unit 4 has a void 11, is a coverlock receiver 52 and a chair lock receiver 54 for cover fastening means25 respectively chair locking device 24. The base unit can also have ahard hole preferably in its rear edge. The section in FIG. 14B is takenon XIVB In FIG. 14A. In order that the seat hole cover shall befastenable both directly on the base unit and with the mounted chairmodule, cover lock receiver 52 is equipped with at least one extragroove. The extra groove corresponds to the difference between theposition of the cover lock in the two just mentioned mounting modes.

FIG. 15 shows in perspective an embodiment of the support nodule 8. Thesupport module 8 has hooked chair fastening means 7, as well as afastening means 9 which is able to be snap-fitted into slits in the baseunit. FIG. 16 shows how such hooked chair fastening means are fittedinto correspondingly shaped hooked recesses 60 in the border of the sidewall in the chair module. FIG. 17A shows the support module 8 in sideview and FIG. 17B shows a cross-section XVIIB of an embodiment of baseunit fastening means 9, which is essentially U-shaped and equipped atthe ends with lock hooks for hooking into said slits. When applying thesupport module 8 to potty and child's chair, the hooked chair fasteningmeans 7 first enter into hooked recesses 60, and then fall downwards sothat shape conformal locking occurs. Then base unit fastening means 9are pressed together in a simple hand operation and introduced into theslits. When base unit fastening means 9 are then released the lock hooksbend out sideways and a shape conformal locking is achieved.

FIG. 18 shows, in an exploded view, an embodiment of a chair module 100,a base unit 102 and a second embodiment of a front and crotch supportmodule 104. In the shown embodiment of front and crotch support module104, chair fastening means 106 has a front edge 108 which is insertablein a correspondingly shaped hooked recess 110 in the chair module.

In a not shown embodiment the chair module and/or base unit include legfastening organs for lockably attaching removable leg modules whichbelong to the modularly constructed child's chair. With the removablelegs applied the modularly constructed child's chair can be used as achild's high chair, or the base unit as a taller stool. The legfastening organ can, for example, be tubular details integrated with thechair module and/or the base unit at its or their four corners. The legsand the tubular leg fastening organs in that case preferably havecorresponding profiles, for example, circular, square or rectangular.The locking itself of the legs to module in question can e.g. be made bymeans of known bayonet fitting, by means of pins or by another means.

The described embodiments of the details of the modularly constructedpotty and child's chair are merely shown as examples. Other constructiondetails are accommodated in the overall concept of the invention.Similarly the different module and constituent details can furthermorebe combined differently, also in ways not shown, within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. Child's chair construction comprising a chair module with abackrest, a side rest and a seat equipped with a void for a seat holeinto which a potty can be inserted, a base module which can be joinedtogether with the chair module, and a removable seat hole cover whichcan be fastened over the seat, whereby the chair module is equipped withchair fastening means for joining together said chair module with thebase module and whereby the base module is equipped with a receiver forthe chair fastening means, wherein the chair fastening means comprisestwo opposing bosses arranged at the front part of the underside of thechair module and a locking device comprising two sliding lock partsarranged at the rear part of the underside of the chair module betweenthe seat hole void and the backrest, said base module is shaped like abox with an essentially open first side and an opposing second side,including a void, the seat hole cover comprising cover fastening meansfor fastening the seat hole cover on either said chair module or saidbase module to make a footstool which can be used together with thechair module arranged on a conventional toilet.
 2. Child's chairconstruction according to claim 1, wherein the base module comprises afirst receiver for said cover fastening means and a second receiver forsaid chair fastening means.
 3. Child's chair construction according toclaim 1, further comprising a support module, serving as a front andcrotch support, fastenable on each of the chair module and the basemodule.
 4. Child's chair construction according to claim 1, wherein oneof the chair module and the base module comprises anchoring means foranchoring of said one of the chair module and the base module to aconventional chair.
 5. Child's chair construction according to claim 1,characterised in that it comprises leg modules which are removable andlockably fastenable to the chair module and the base module, whereby atleast one of the chair module and the base module comprises legfastening means for the removable and lockable attachment of said legmodules.
 6. Child's chair construction according to claim 1, wherein thelocking device comprises a slidable sliding lock part and an elongatelock housing, and wherein the sliding lock part comprises a thrustsurface and first locking means, the lock housing is equipped with anelongate void and comprises second locking means cooperating with thefirst locking means.